John Illsley

Infobox musical artist
Name = John Illsley

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Img_capt = John playing with Dire Straits
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1949|6|24
in Leicester, England
Died =
Origin = Leicester, England
Instrument = Bass guitar
Voice_type =
Genre = Rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1977-present
Label =
Associated_acts = Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler
URL = [http://www.johnillsley.com/ JohnIllsley.com]
Notable_instruments =Fender Jazz Bass

John Illsley (born on 24 June, 1949, in Leicester, England) was the bass player for the English rock band Dire Straits. Introduced to lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler by Mark's brother, David Knopfler, Illsley was one of just two of the original band members remaining when it broke up in 1995.

John now lives in rural Hampshire, with his second wife Stephanie and his four children. He owns a local pub, the "East End Arms", [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article1168623.ece?token=null&offset=12 The 50 Best Pubs Around Britain: The Times, October 11, 2003] ] located between Lymington and Beaulieu. Daily operation of the pub and restaurant is in the hands of Joanna Dydak. He is also a partner in two nearby hotels; The Master Builder's House Hotel [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2004/sep/12/unitedkingdom.restandrelaxation.hotels Richard Eilers, The Observer, Sunday September 12, 2004] ] near Beaulieu and The George Hotel [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_199905/ai_n8838677 David Fingelton, The Spectator, May 15, 1999] ] on the Isle of Wight.

In October 2008 he released an album called Beautiful You and embarked on a tour of Ireland with singer/songwriter Greg Pearle. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7656541.stm BBC News, October 9th 2008] ]

Early life

Illsley attended Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire and a Further Education College near Kettering before starting work as a management trainee for a timber firm. He then studied Sociology at Goldsmiths College, University of London and opened a record shop with his girlfriend. While in London, he roomed with friend David Knopfler, and was introduced to his brother, Mark Knopfler, who invited him to form a band with them. With Pick Withers, the band Dire Straits was formed.

Dire Straits

As well as playing bass on all the Dire Straits recordings, Illsley also contributed vocals to their "Communiqué", "Making Movies" and "Brothers in Arms" albums. Illsley was the only group member (other than Mark Knopfler) who remained in the line-up of Dire Straits right through until the group's dissolution in 1995.

olo career

Illsley released two albums of his own, "Never Told A Soul" in 1984 and "Glass" in 1988. His first album had clear Dire Straits influences, however, his style had notably changed by the second. Mark Knopfler contributed some of the guitar parts on both issues. His latest album Beautiful You, a collaboration with Greg Pearle, will be released in October 2008.

Cunla

In March 2005, in a pub in Leicestershire, Illsley happened upon an Irish Celtic rock group called Cunla. For the first time since 1993 he took to the stage and played a couple of Dire Straits numbers with the band.

Cunla subsequently played at a summer party Illsley was hosting in Hampshire. He then appeared with them on several occasions, most notably on September 23th 2006 at Cathedrale d'Image in Les Baux de Provence, France. This performance was recorded and subsequently released as an album in 2007.

Cunla have a heady, energetic Celtic rock sound. With Illsley, they cover a couple of Dire Straits numbers, albeit in an Irish style, with Johnny Owens replacing all keyboards and brass parts with traditional Irish violin. They also have a large amount of their own material, much of it penned by Greg Pearle.

Other interests

Away from music, John Illsley is known for his campaigns against drugs. He also has been known to enjoy an occasional pint of Guinness.

Painting

Illsley is a keen painter, and promised himself that he would take it up to a greater extent once Dire Straits stopped touring. A first exhibition of his work was shown at the Nevill Keating McIlroy Gallery, Pickering Place, London SW1 in early summer 2007.

olo discography

*1984 - "Never Told A Soul"
*1988 - "Glass"
*2007 - "Live in Les Baux de Provence" (with Cunla and Greg Pearle)
*2008 - "Beautiful You (John Illsley album)" (with Greg Pearle)

References

External links

* [http://www.johnillsley.com Official website]
* [http://beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=8354&PageID=95197 Interview on the Leicester Bands website]
* [http://www.eastendarms.co.uk East End Arms]
* [http://www.markknopfler.com Mark Knopfler]